As I look around I see opportunities opening up in Salmon Arm.
You may have noticed that Salmon Arm is seeing an upturn in construction, with one large, light industrial building adding to the number of commercial buildings already on the go or scheduled to start later this year. We are also seeing more single and multi-family homes under construction.
With the upturn in construction, job opportunities multiply, highlighting the need for qualified building trade workers.
At the last development and planning meeting, council reviewed the first draft of an industrial tax incentive program. Council is looking at this as a way to promote industrial investment in Salmon Arm and increase jobs in our industrial sector.
Another opportunity is the announcement of a direct flight from Kelowna to Fort McMurray beginning in May, enabling workers to live in our area. I know of families that originally moved to Alberta to be closer to dad’s job who are now thinking of moving back to our area. Their comment was “why would we live in Calgary or Red Deer when there is a direct flight from Kelowna to Fort McMurray.”
This new direct flight will open up further opportunities for commerce between the destinations. Perhaps even for a shuttle bus to the Kelowna airport with possible stops in Enderby and Armstrong to pick up workers heading to, or returning from, their jobs in Fort McMurray.
Another good-news story comes from the MoneySense magazine, naming Salmon Arm among the top-10 Best Places to retire in Canada, which is fabulous and again will open up new opportunities.
To wrap this up, I am encouraged by the positive upturn in construction, the new industrial tax incentive, the MoneySense article, and the direct flights to Fort McMurray, which are all creating opportunities right here in Salmon Arm.
- Nancy Cooper, Mayor of Salmon Arm